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Julie Chung, the U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, has clarified that there is no travel ban on Sri Lanka.

Addressing recent concerns, she emphasized that the U.S. security alert issued last week was specific to the Arugam Bay area due to a particular threat.

"When we became aware of a specific threat in the Arugam Bay area, we shared these known details with the Sri Lankan authorities, who responded quickly," Chung stated. "We continue to actively coordinate with them on a daily basis, and we value our partnership with Sri Lanka's leadership and security officials, whose commitment to safety and transparency is notable."

Chung also addressed misinformation circulating about the travel advisory.

"Our security alert last week is for Americans to avoid Arugam Bay until further notice, but our overall security advisory for Sri Lanka remains exactly the same at Level 2, which has been so for many years. This is similar to advisories for many other popular destinations, including the Maldives, France, and Italy. All the same at Level 2, Sri Lanka remains at Level 2," she added.

Sri Lanka’s security forces were reportedly fully aware of the information warning of a possible attack targeting popular tourist locations in the Arugam Bay area, as mentioned in the U.S. Embassy’s security alert for American citizens in Sri Lanka today (23).

Is it stated that consequently, steps were taken several days ago to bolster security in the region.

Around 500 police officers and Special Task Force (STF) personnel had already been deployed to enhance security in the Arugam Bay tourist zone.

Police Media Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa also confirmed that intelligence agencies and other security forces are focused on strengthening security measures in the area.

He further emphasized that no intelligence reports have been received regarding such threats in Colombo or any other areas of the country thus far, and therefore urged the public not to have any undue fears.

Additionally, special attention is being given to ensure the safety of tourists visiting Arugam Bay and other provinces.

He indicated that recent information had indicated a potential threat to Israelis in the area. In response, the Senior DIG in charge of the province has initiated necessary preliminary measures, which involve securing the area by deploying roadblocks and periodically conducting checks on vehicles and individuals.

“Special security units, including the Police, STF, Navy, Army, and intelligence officers, have been deployed to ensure safety in the area. If any further information is received, immediate action will be taken,” Thalduwa reassured.

He emphasized that police stations have been instructed to coordinate and provide security for tourists, regardless of nationality.

“If we receive any information, we will take immediate action. Even now, necessary measures have been taken for that area. To other areas...that is why we are giving these instructions to the police stations because it is our responsibility to provide security to the tourists regardless of the country they belong to, so we are doing the necessary coordination and giving the necessary instructions to those police stations,” he said.

Sri Lanka Tourism assures safety of all visitors

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau has issued a statement today extending a warm invitation to travelers from around the world to visit Sri Lanka during the upcoming tourist season and assuring that all tourists can enjoy a safe and secure experience while exploring the beauty of the island.

“The highest levels of safety and security will be maintained for all visitors throughout their stay in Sri Lanka,” the statement by Sri Lanka Tourism said.

The Ministry of Defense has also assured Sri Lanka Tourism that necessary measures have been taken to guarantee the safety of tourists across all areas of the country, ensuring peace of mind for those currently staying in Sri Lanka and for those planning their visits.

“We look forward to offering every traveler a memorable and enjoyable stay in Sri Lanka,” Sri Lanka Tourism said.

The Department of Railways has announced that train services from Colombo Fort to Kankasanturai will resume tomorrow, October 28, as the renovated Mahawa-Anuradhapura section of the Northern Railway Line reopens.

This resumption follows months of suspension due to maintenance and modernization work. Deputy Director of Traffic M. J. Indipolage stated that while train services will be restored, safety gates for railway crossings are still being installed.

The Railway Department advises the public to exercise caution at crossings and follow safety protocols.

New train timetable on the northern line:

Ex-MP Johnston Fernando was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Wednesday (23) afternoon.

This arrest is in connection with an investigation into the discovery of an assembled luxury vehicle.

Fernando was taken into custody when he arrived at the CID to provide a statement regarding the incident.

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has submitted its proposal for a possible tariff revision in December to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), marking the third quarterly review for the year.

According to the PUCSL, the upcoming electricity tariff adjustment is expected to be a modest increase, anticipated at 6% across all sectors.

PUCSL Director of Corporate Communications Jayanath Herath noted that a reduction ranging from 4% to 11% had initially been considered, but the current proposal suggests a moderate 6% adjustment.

The proposed changes are currently under review by PUCSL.

Following this, the proposal will undergo a public consultation phase before a final decision is made. Should the commission require additional modifications, the Electricity Board will receive feedback on Monday for further action, he added.

This marks the third adjustment of electricity tariffs this year. The first revision in March resulted in a 21.9% revision for all segments, followed by a 22.5% reduction in July.

President’s Counsel Prasantha Lal de Alwis has been appointed as the new Principal of Sri Lanka Law College, effective October 22.

His appointment was made by ex-Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, following the retirement of the college’s former principal, Dr Atula Pathinayake.

PC de Alwis holds both his LLB and LLM from the University of Colombo.

He began his legal career in 1983 as a State Counsel at the Attorney General’s Department, where he served until 1990.

In addition to his legal practice, he has contributed significantly to legal education as a lecturer at the Faculty of Law of the Open University of Sri Lanka, the University of Colombo, and Sri Lanka Law College.

Currently, he serves as a Director at Assetline Finance.

(sundaytimes.lk)

The Ministry of Agriculture has initiated a survey of all paddy stocks stored across Sri Lanka.

Ministry Secretary M.P.N.M. Wickramasinghe announced that the survey will take place today and tomorrow, with a team including officers from the Consumer Affairs Authority assigned to oversee the process.

Special inspections will focus on paddy warehouses in the Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, and Ampara districts, known for their substantial paddy storage.

Both small and medium-scale, as well as large-scale paddy mill owners' warehouses, will also be inspected.

M.P.N.M. Wickramasinghe said that the study of the survey will be reported to the President the following day.

He added that the Ministry has decided to maintain safety stocks by purchasing the paddy harvest from the high season through small and medium-scale paddy millers.

The Paddy Marketing Board is also planning to acquire a safety stock of 400,000 metric tons of paddy.

During recent discussions between the President and large-scale paddy mill owners, an agreement was reached to release rice in the market below the control price.

However, the Secretary noted that market surveys indicate this has not yet occurred.

While rice mill owners claim a shortage of Nadu rice, M.P.N.M. Wickramasinghe pointed out that 78 percent of the last season's paddy cultivation has been done with Nadu.

The Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong, met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake this afternoon (22) at the Presidential Secretariat. During their meeting, Ambassador Qi made a donation of LKR 30 million (USD 100,000) as emergency flood relief to assist those affected by the recent flooding in the country.

In addition to immediate relief measures, the discussion also extended to a dialogue about long-term flood prevention and management strategies. They discussed sustainable approaches to enhance the resilience of communities against future flooding.

Recent reports indicate that heavy rains have led to significant flooding in several provinces, displacing thousands of families and causing extensive damage to infrastructure and agriculture.

The Supreme Court has ordered for the Fundamental Rights (FR) petition filed seeking an order preventing the release of the 2024 Grade 05 Scholarship Examination results and the cut-off marks, to be taken up for consideration on November 18.

The petitioners have requested the Supreme Court through their FR petition that an order be issued invalidating question paper 01 of the 2024 Grade 05 Scholarship Examination of which certain questions are alleged to have been leaked, and that the exam be held again.

The petition was taken up before Supreme Court Justice Arjuna Obeysekera today (24).

The court ordered the respondents to submit any objections to the petition before November 5, and any further objections related to those were ordered to be submitted before November 12.

Accordingly, the next hearing of the petition has been fixed for November 18 to confirm the facts of the petition.

The petitions were filed by the parents of several students who sat for the 2024 Grade 05 Scholarship Examination which was held on September 15, 2024.

The International Monetary Fund says that the global battle against inflation has largely been won, even if price pressures persist in some countries.

Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, Economic Counselor and Director of the Research Department of the IMF presenting the World Economic Outlook on Tuesday (22) said the prediction is that headline inflation will fall to 3.5 percent by the end of next year, slightly below the average during the two decades before the pandemic.

This project comes after headline inflation peaked at 9.4 percent year-on-year in the third quarter of 2022.

Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas says that global economy remained unusually resilient throughout the disinflationary process.

Growth is projected to hold steady at 3.2 percent in 2024 and 2025, but some low-income and developing economies have seen sizable downside growth revisions, often tied to intensifying conflicts.

In advanced economies, growth in the United States is strong, at 2.8 percent this year, but will revert toward its potential in 2025.

For advanced European economies, a modest growth rebound is expected next year, with output approaching potential.

The growth outlook is very stable in emerging markets and developing economies, around 4.2 percent this year and next, with continued robust performance from emerging Asia.

"The decline in inflation without a global recession is a major achievement,"said Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, Economic Counselor and Director of the Research Department of the IMF.

Despite the good news on inflation, downside risks are increasing and now dominate the outlook, he warned noting that an escalation in regional conflicts, especially in the Middle East, could pose serious risks for commodity markets. He noted that shifts toward undesirable trade and industrial policies can significantly lower output relative to the baseline forecast. Monetary policy could remain to tight for too long, and global financial conditions could tighten abruptly.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says the country is not facing a rice shortage, despite reports of limited availability in certain markets.

He clarified that while some outlets may experience stock issues, there is no nationwide shortage.

Speaking at a political rally in Polonnaruwa, President Dissanayake said that the government is open to cooperating with rice mill owners but warned that legal measures would be taken if they fail to cooperate.

He confirmed that rice imports would not be pursued, except to meet specific needs in the tourism sector.

The President urged farmers to utilize all available land for cultivation, with the government planning to purchase the harvested rice to support local production.

Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando, Director of Communications for the Archdiocese of Colombo, says that they reject the report of the Committee of Inquiry, chaired by retired High Court Judge A.N.J. De Alwis.

He made this statement in response to comments made by Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader and former MP Udaya Gammanpila during a press conference held in Colombo yesterday (21) where he disclosed the contents of a previously unreleased report regarding the Easter Sunday terror attacks.

Speaking at a press conference held today at the Archbishop’s House in Borella, Rev. Fr. Gamini stated: “It is clear that a conflict of interest will immediately arise by appointing A.N.J. De Alwis, the sister of Prasanna De Alwis, who is accused of concealing and destroying evidence in a murder investigation, as the head of this committee.”

He further stated that a report produced under these circumstances cannot be regarded as impartial or independent.

“Therefore, we completely reject this report,” Rev. Fr. Gamini said.